Row erupts after restaurant shares 'gory' dead grouse photo on Instagram

A screenshot of the controversial post on Padella's Instagram
@padella_pasta/Instagram
James Morris11 September 2018

A popular London pasta restaurant has sparked a bitter row between diners after it posted a gory image of a dead grouse on its Instagram feed.

Padella, in Borough Market, posted a graphic picture of the bird resting on a chopping board next to a carving knife. The post is captioned: “Grouse soon to be ragu.”

Before the picture can be viewed, a “sensitive content” warning appears. It reads: “This photo contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing.”

Critics, including vegetarians, vegans and carnivores, expressed their disgust, while others staunchly defended the restaurant.

Instagram user “meachagramm”, ranted: “Seriously?! My partner is a huge fan of Padella and we visit regularly. She’s a vegetarian and she’s appalled that a restaurant with so many veggie options thinks it’s ok to post this.

“As a meat eater, I strongly believe we should face to reality of what we eat, but for those who don’t, companies like yours should be sensitive to other people’s preferences.

“Your social media team should be aware of that and if they aren’t, they really should review what they’re doing and why. Your lack of sensitivity has marginalised your vegetarian and pescatarian customers. We won’t be visiting Padella again.”

A gourmet picnic business, Pique Food in Clapham, then waded in. It replied: “@meachagramm It’s not breaking news that dead animals are what makes meat.

Padella in Borough Market
Wei-Te Wong/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

“Does she complain to supermarkets for storing dead hens in public? Suggest you visit the toiletries aisle and stock up on cotton wool.”

Another user, “emlouisesqueeze”, said: “Surely there’s a more original/intelligent/sophisticated way of creating a buzz about your restaurant without going for the shock factor and offending half your followers/customers in the process?! Disappointed @padella_pasta!”

To which “sifrewin11” retorted: “@emlouisesqueeze_ you are only offended if you choose to be.”

User “dancoen” also said: “I love your food but this photo is just appalling, I’m sure even ardent carnivores don’t want to think of a dead bird when they eat your ragu. Gratuitous and weird.”

A "sensitive content" warning pops up before the post can be viewed
@padella_pasta/Instagram

But “annabelscoleman” responded: “@dancoen wrong. You should be very thoughtful about where your food comes from, at all times.”

The Standard has approached Padella for comment.

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